BA in Psychology

The requirements for a major in Psychology are designed to meet educational goals of two distinct student populations--those who plan to attend graduate school in Psychology and those who plan to pursue a career in a field other than Psychology.

Undergraduate Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 34 graded hours of credit in Psychology earning a grade of C or better. At least 15 of the required 34 hours must be upper-division courses, and at least 9 hours (including 6 upper division hours) must be taken at Washburn. The table below shows required courses with prerequisites, and/or choices of courses which meet specific requirements.

Requirements

Course (credit hours)

Prerequisite(s)

The Foundation

PY 100 Basic Concepts in Psychology (3)

none

PY 151 Psychological Statistics (3)

PY 100 with grade of "C" or better, or concurrent enrollment, and MA104

One (1) of the following courses:

______ Psychological Development Through the Life-Span (PY209)

______ Psychology of Infancy and Childhood (PY210)

______ Adolescent Psychology (PY211)

______ Psychology of Adulthood and Aging (PY212)

PY 100

PY 231 Abnormal Psychology (3)

PY 100

PY 251 Research Methods (3)

PY 100

PY 299 Psychological Forum (1)

PY 100 and Sophomore Psychology Major (Pass/Fail Only)

The Pillars

(Must complete one (1) course from each Pillar)

Pillar 1

PY 301 Principles of Learning (3)

PY 100

PY 306 Cognition (3)

PY 100

Pillar 2

PY 305 Sensation and Perception (3)

PY 100

PY 307 Physiological Psychology (3)

PY 100

Pillar 3

PY 309 Theories of Personality (3)

PY 100

PY 310 Social Psychology (3)

PY 100

Upper Division Electives

Complete any two (2) Upper Division courses in addition to the three pillar courses (above).

______ upper-division elective course (PY3XX)

______ upper-division elective course (PY3XX)

NOTE: Upper division elective courses can be pillar or non-pillar courses. Capstone courses can NOT be used to fulfill this requirement.

Prerequisites vary with course. Please see Course Catalog for the prerequisites for each 300-level course.

Senior Capstone Experience (Must earn at least three credit hours)

PY 336 Field/Volunteer Experience in Psychology (3)

﻿One related advanced course and consent of instructor

PY 387 History and Systems of Psychology (3)

Psychology Senior or Consent

PY 389 Independent Study (1-3)

Consent of instructor

PY 390 Directed Research (1-3)

PY 386 and consent of instructor

STUDENTS CONSIDERING GRADUATE SCHOOL

Students desiring to enter graduate school are highly recommended to enroll in Advanced Research Design & Scientific Writing (PY386) after completing Research Methods (PY251).

Minor in Psychology

Minor

Students majoring in other areas but who wish to supplement their coursework with a variety of psychology courses should consider the minor in Psychology. A minor in psychology consists of no less than 15 hours, including at least 9 hours of upper division courses. At least 4 hours must be taken at Washburn. Students should consult an advisor in the Psychology Department in order to select the most appropriate psychology courses to complement their major. Students must have a grade of C or better in each course applied to the minor.

Recommended minor courses for premed students and students in all health-related majors

Individuals who minor in Psychology are free to take any courses of their choosing within the constraints outlined above. However, the Psychology Faculty highly recommends that students pursing a major related to the healing arts strongly consider choosing from the following courses in their minor plan of study:

PY 100 Basic Concepts in Psychology

PY 231 Abnormal Psychology

PY 251 Research Methods

PY 305 Sensation and Perception

PY 307 Physiological Psychology

PY 326 Health Psychology

PY 338 Childhood Psychopathology

Grad School Bound

If you are planning on going on to earn you Master's degree or a Ph.D., then here is

a suggested list of courses that you should complete and

the preferred order that you should take those classes.

Please consult with your advisor or any of the faculty about the courses and ways that you can increase your chances of being accepted into a graduate program.

Online BA Degree

The Psychology Department’s online degree option is a guarantee that over four years students will be able to complete all of the departmental degree requirements online. This degree option is not part of a separate online school, and we cannot guarantee the availability of specific online courses outside of our department (although it is guaranteed that enough online courses are available outside of the major to meet all BA requirements).

Please see the Degree Plans below for more details on specific psychology courses. Transfer students may be able to complete our degree plan, but are encouraged to speak with an admissions counselor first before applying.

Choose a feed:

Degree Requirements

Advising Worksheet

Online BA Degree Plans

“I think the faculty that I have had have all been really good about pushing students to go above and beyond and really learn what they need to know. It’s just really cool to see within the Washburn community how close knit our psych community is. They provide a relationship where it's not intimidating to ask questions.” -Molly Walter, Psychology Major

What's an Ichabod?

Washburn's mascot, the Ichabod, honors the school's early benefactor, Ichabod Washburn, a 19th century Massachusetts industrialist. The original design of the studious-looking, tuxedo-clad figure was created in 1938 by Bradbury Thompson (ba '34), who became an internationally acclaimed graphic artist. Design wasn't Thompson's only consideration. To the stylized Ichabod the artist attributed the qualities of "...courage and enthusiasm, as shown by his brisk walk. He is democratic and courteous, for he tips his hat as he passes. Sincere in his search for truth and knowledge, he studiously carries a book under his arm..."